The Western Bulldogs have made two changes to their side for Saturday’s 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final against Melbourne at Optus Stadium.

Key back Alex Keath has proved his fitness after missing the prelim against Port Adelaide with hamstring tightness.

Electric forward Cody Weightman has also been selected, after being sidelined as per concussion protocols.

Ryan Gardner and Laitham Vandermeer make way, along with activated medical substitute, Anthony Scott.

The trio plus Ed Richards have been named as emergencies however, with one to be confirmed as the Grand Final medical substitute an hour before the first bounce. 

The team features nine Bulldogs who took part in the drought-breaking 2016 flag, with both Taylor Duryea (2014, 2015) and Adam Treloar (2018) having also played in Grand Finals prior.

The match will begin at 5.15pm local time, and be broadcast live on Channel 7.

2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final

Melbourne v Western Bulldogs
Saturday 25 September, 5.15pm AWST (7.15pm AEST)
Optus Stadium, WA

B: Easton Wood, Alex Keath, Bailey Williams
HB: Caleb Daniel, Zaine Cordy, Bailey Dale
C: Bailey Smith, Tom Liberatore, Lachie Hunter
HF: Cody Weightman, Aaron Naughton, Adam Treloar
F: Josh Schache, Tim English, Mitch Hannan
R: Stefan Martin, Jack Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli

Int: Jason Johannisen, Josh Dunkley, Taylor Duryea, Roarke Smith

Emg: Laitham Vandermeer, Ed Richards, Anthony Scott, Ryan Gardner

The Western Bulldogs’ quest to claim a remarkable 2021 premiership has been halted by Melbourne in the Grand Final.

The Bulldogs succumbed to a second half Demons blitz after holding a 19-point lead early in the third quarter, as Melbourne claimed their first flag in 57 years.

The Dogs overcame a slow start to control the second term and looked in control of the contest when Marcus Bontempelli snapped his third goal of the game at the 12-minute mark of the third, but the Demons responded with a devastating run of 11 straight goals.

They turned a dangerous deficit into a 24-point lead at the final change, and by the final siren they were 74 points in front after kicking 15 of the last 16 goals of the match.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Bulldogs, who fought so valiantly to claw their way into the Grand Final after finishing fifth and traversing the country to earn the right to play off for the Premiership.

Bontempelli led his team brilliantly in defeat, collecting 25 disposals to go with his three majors – two of which came from contested marks in the crucial second quarter fightback.

Adam Treloar was another who performed admirably, kicking three goals and winning 28 touches, while defender Caleb Daniel finished with a team-high 37 possessions.

For the Demons, Christian Petracca was named as the Norm Smith Medallist and Bailey Fritsch kicked six goals.

MELBOURNE                   4.5     5.9     12.11     21.14 (140)
WESTERN BULLDOGS     1.2     7.5     9.5         10.6 (66) 

GOALS
Melbourne: Fritsch 6, Brown 3, Petracca 2, Neal-Bullen 2, McDonald 2, Spargo, Brayshaw, Sparrow, Oliver, Langdon, Jackson
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli 3, Treloar 3, R Smith, Naughton, Hunter, Johannisen 

BEST
Melbourne: Petracca, Fritsch, Oliver, Brayshaw, Salem, Gawn, Jackson
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Daniel, B.Smith, Treloar, Macrae, Liberatore, Dale 

INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil   

SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Jordon (unused)
Western Bulldogs: Vandermeer (unused)  

Crowd: 61,118 at Optus Stadium